The United States Postal Service unveiled its new Toni Morrison stamp on Tuesday. I read about it in the Sun-times Wednesday, and gazed at the image, set against an orange background. It isn't bad, as far as U.S. postage stamps go, and honestly, last month I wouldn't have thought twice about the image.
But I was in Washington, D.C. a couple weeks ago for a book dinner. And while I didn't have much free time, I made a point to pop into the National Portrait Gallery, one of the nations under-appreciated treasures. There I contemplated the official portrait of Donald Trump, a stain on our history that will never wash out, hanging among the other presidents, and not in a separate traitor's wing, perhaps accessed through an airlock, where he belongs. But that deserves a separate post.
I was impressed by how effectively the National Portrait Gallery conveyed the diverse splendor of our nation, and paused to admire Robert McCurdy's 2006 portrait of Toni Morrison. Take a look at it below. Her expression is ... what? Angry? Focused? Fierce? Determined? There was a serenity, a power. That scowl ... the painting made the author live, for me. Gotta read her books, I thought. I'd be more ashamed to admit I haven't if I didn't suspect I'm not alone in that. Blame the era I went to school. We read "Great Expectations" instead. Still, that's no excuse. No time like the present.
But I was in Washington, D.C. a couple weeks ago for a book dinner. And while I didn't have much free time, I made a point to pop into the National Portrait Gallery, one of the nations under-appreciated treasures. There I contemplated the official portrait of Donald Trump, a stain on our history that will never wash out, hanging among the other presidents, and not in a separate traitor's wing, perhaps accessed through an airlock, where he belongs. But that deserves a separate post.
I was impressed by how effectively the National Portrait Gallery conveyed the diverse splendor of our nation, and paused to admire Robert McCurdy's 2006 portrait of Toni Morrison. Take a look at it below. Her expression is ... what? Angry? Focused? Fierce? Determined? There was a serenity, a power. That scowl ... the painting made the author live, for me. Gotta read her books, I thought. I'd be more ashamed to admit I haven't if I didn't suspect I'm not alone in that. Blame the era I went to school. We read "Great Expectations" instead. Still, that's no excuse. No time like the present.
Now look again at the postage stamp. She seems ... annoyed? Impatient? Hunched? Waiting for the picture to be taken? Her smile flirting with a grimace. Her hands lightly folded in front of her. It would have been too much to expect the notoriously inept postal service to nail Morrison's portrait. But it doesn't mean we can't remind ourselves how far from the mark their shot fell.
I love that there IS a stamp. She’s showing amusement that she is being honored by the Post Office and banned by the pinheads pressuring schools and libraries. She’s also tickled that “Forever” in the corner conveys her with literary and postal immortality. Her portrait conveys her mystical power, but is too austere and muddy for postage. You get busy with catch up reading, I’ll buy the stamps. I call it winning, and I’ll take it.
ReplyDeleteYou are right about The National Portrait Gallery, it’s an amazing collection. Was there before “ The Stain.”
ReplyDeleteI like both of these portraits of Toni. The stamp rendition looks like someone I would go to breakfast with and talk about our aches and pains and grandkids. The National Portrait Gallery painting is quite intimidating. Will the real Toni Morrison please stand up?!
Hard to imagine our United (?) States of America ever allowing a picture of an angry black woman (however justifiably so) on a postage stamp. Lucky to get this; we can expect no more.
ReplyDeleteLet’s appreciate it while it’s still in the gallery. If Desantis becomes President he will have it removed.
ReplyDeleteTotally disagree, the stamp is way, way better than the portrait!
ReplyDeleteThe stamp looks like it was for a People Magazine cover but I'll be happy to stick that to an envelope. Embrace your journey into the worlds of Toni Morrison. I haven't read them all but savor the memory of those that I have read. Recently I came across a title called "Recitatif" which was the only short story she every published. This is rare for writers. The ed. I read, that I'd recommend, has an essay by Zadie Smith explaining the premise for her writing. I didn't read that first as I wanted to go in cold; but read the story-that felt like a puzzle. In reading the essay, then the story again and it was like, ok...I get it..but I don't..but it's amazing and still timely. Am enjoying your daily read-thank you (and Zorn)
ReplyDeleteRespectfully disagree! I like both, and everybody could do with more than one picture of themselves being the single vision everybody remembers them for. Especially somebody as multifaceted as Toni Morrison. The National Gallery portrait needs no defense, so concentrating on the stamp, her pose and expression to me looks relaxed, wise, amused at the crazy world, and like she's about to talk to me. My criticism is for the cheesy background. It looks literally like they did it with Pixelmator Pro, which I use all the time and that looks *exactly* like one of the *basic* background fills. I like that background and use it, but I wouldn't choose it for something important like this.
ReplyDeleteI am thrilled Toni Morrison is being honored with a stamp. she seems pleased or proud in the photo.
DeleteI enjoyed your letter to the editor regarding the 5th ward candidacy of Tina Hone. Your endorsement helps me to decide who to vote for. Im down in pocket town and am new to the area.
While I think the portrait gallery photo has a nice gravitas--she looks dignified--I still like the stamp. Her expression reminds me of the first line of Elizabeth Cotten's "Shake Sugaree": "I've got a secret I shouldn't tell, I'm goin' to heaven in a split pea shell." It's amused and capricious. Go Toni!
ReplyDeleteNeil, I totally agree with you re the Toni Morrison picture on the postage stamp. Not only does it not capture her regal essence, but the background color is so not the right background to highlight her “complexion.” Orange was the best they could come up with????
ReplyDeleteCloser to home, and continuing with the black women theme, you may wish to explore why there is no postage stamp honoring Lorraine Hansberry, author of “A Raisin in the Sun.” A petition is circulating to correct this.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Clark.
ReplyDeleteI'm with Clark St. on this one. I don't think she looks annoyed or impatient in the stamp photo, and I think the clever analysis from Janet's planet pretty well rings true. She seems pleased to me.
ReplyDeleteCate Plys nails it, too, and she's right that the background could surely be better.
Obviously, one can express varying moods and the portrait is a powerful portrayal. For the purposes of a stamp, I prefer the image they went with, though.
read her books-amazing and wonderful-start the the oldest "The Bluest Eye" and work thru to her last, "Beloved". Then the themes she uses will be understandable.
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